Former NWOBHM French band Nightmare (not to be confused with the Japanese Nightmare) continues with it prolific output since their reunion in 1999, THE AFTERMATH marking the band’s 7th album during that span and 4th with AFM Records. Other than the wretched throwaway COSMOVISION, the band has remained fairly consistent in their approach to power-thrash metal, even if a few albums have been a bit uneven. THE AFTERMATH features more of the same, sticking to the template of the last few albums but tightening and further embracing the heavier thrash elements of their sound.

Former drummer turned front man Jo Amore continues to improve as a vocalist whom in turn helps to strengthen the album, Amore alternating between aggression and various personas. Nevertheless, he is still a tier below say Stu Block or Warrel Dane, considering that Iced Earth and Nevermore are obvious aspirations for Nightmare’s ceiling. The band instead reaches its high water mark somewhere between Mystic Prophecy and Communic territory, certainly a respectable placement. Consequently there is much to like about the piston drumming and thrashy tempo of tunes like “Necromancer” and “Forbidden Tribe.” Look to “I Am Immortal” for the more progressive and down tuned riffs you would expect from Nevermore. “Digital DNA” is the closest song you will get to something like a groove while “The Bridge Is Burning” offers the only brief respite from the intense power thrash of the rest of the album.

THE AFTERMATH is certainly not a welcoming and warm album. Melodies and charm are sparse, and only grudgingly revealed after several listens, usually in the more connecting choruses on a few of the tunes. At 11 songs, the eventual repetitive nature of things begins to wear thin, making THE AFTERMATH a challenge to digest in one listen. Couple that with the highly compressed and cold cyborgian production and you have an album that is equal parts perfection and flaw. Positives are the flawless and technical execution of the music, riffs cutting precise and articulate with inhuman kick drumming. Fans of Mystic Prophecy and Communic that are looking for a similar take on power metal should enjoy Nightmare’s version.

Since reforming after a long break back in 1999, French metallions Nightmare have gone on an album releasing tear, with 6 new albums since 2001. THE AFTERMATH is the group’s ninth full-length studio album and, I am a bit ashamed to say, my first exposure to the band.

After the intro, “Bringer of a No Man’s Land” breaks the album wide open with a furious, dark power metal assault. Vocalist (and ex-drummer) Jo Amore is an obvious highlight with gritty, powerful vocals that perfectly compliment the band’s heavy and dark brand of power metal. Indeed, to me the band’s sound has more in common with what used to be called power metal back in the ‘80s rather than the happy sounds of say, Freedom Call. Rest assured though, that Nightmare’s song writing, melodies, and choruses are as catchy as they come, riding waves of memorable riffs in every song.

The band obviously gives much thought to their overall image as well. From their name, to the song titles and lyrics, to the album cover, it’s obvious that Nightmare is striving to be more than your average power metal band, which I find commendable. That said, there are a few less than stellar songs and a few attempts to branch out that don’t quite work (i.e. growled vocals). However, by and large I find THE AFTERMATH a mesmerizing listen and am glad I finally got a chance to check out Nightmare’s music. I’ll definitely be searching out their back catalog but in the meantime, the band’s fans can join me in enjoying the hell out of this opus.